"It's very hard, in fact it's impossible, to explain why Paterno should have been the person to go to the police," James told Gotlieb. "Paterno didn't see anything. Paterno was not the reporting authority. Sandusy did not work for Paterno. Paterno had no supervisory authority over Sandusky. It's extremely difficult to explain why it was Paterno's responsibility to go to the police. He knew less about it than anyone else there."

This afternoon, Red Sox Principal Owner John Henry and Executive Vice President/General Manager Ben Cherington spoke to Bill James regarding him making public his personal opinions on Joe Paterno.

In that call, Mr. James was informed that his comments in no way reflect the opinions or positions of the Red Sox; and, because he is perceived as a representative of the Red Sox, he was asked to refrain from any further public comments on this matter.

James is a pioneer in baseball statistics whose title is senior adviser of baseball operations.